The fact is, I know using truffles at home is a little pretentious and very decadent, but even my local supermarket now stocks truffle oil. Admittedly it's more than likely not the real McCoy, but it does have a flavour you can't put your finger on – a kind of fragrant, garlicky, encapsulating smell which when used with subtlety is great. Truffle oil can be used for so many things – with a simple risotto or tagliatelle it's amazing. Then, when you've got the bug, treat yourself to the real thing, be it black or the exceptional white truffle.
Ingredients
• 1 white onion, peeled and roughly chopped
• 1 good knob of butter
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 bunch of fresh thyme
500g celeriac, peeled and roughly diced
• 500g floury potatoes, peeled and roughly diced
• 1.1 litres chicken stock
• 100ml double cream
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3–4 tablespoons truffle oil
Nutrition Information
Serving Size 1 (349g)
Recipe makes 2 servings
Calories 449
Calories from Fat 244 (54%)
Amount Per Serving %DV
Total Fat 27.2g 41%
Saturated Fat 16.9g 84%
Monounsaturated Fat 7.0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.2g
Trans Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 73mg 24%
Sodium 220mg 9%
Potassium 933mg 26%
Total Carbohydrate 45.5g 15%
Dietary Fiber 3.6g 14%
Sugars 8.2g
Protein 7.9g 15%
In an appropriately sized pot, slowly fry the onion in the butter and
olive oil for about 5 minutes until translucent and soft but not
coloured at all. Get your bunch of thyme, tie it up with a little
string and add to the pot with the celeriac, potatoes and stock. Bring
to the boil and simmer for 40 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Add the cream, bring back to the boil, then remove the thyme and purée
the mixture in a liquidizer or food processor. Season carefully to
taste, adding the truffle oil tablespoon by tablespoon – the oil can
vary in strength depending on the brand. Divide between your serving
bowls. Feel free to improvise by adding croûtons, a little extra cream
or, if you're really lucky, some real black or white truffles shaved
over the top.
Try this: If you want to give an edge to this comforting soup, try
dressing some chopped parsley and celery leaves with a little olive oil
and lemon juice. Sprinkle over the soup at the last minute before
serving.